École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Lausanne · Official website ↗
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne is in Lausanne, Switzerland; its bachelor's degrees are taught in French. Tuition for international students: CHF 4,380 (≈ US$5,300) per year (2025-26 figure). Standard entry requirements: 12 years of schooling (EU/EFTA upper secondary certificate) general average at least 70% of the maximum grade; mathematics and physics at least 70%; A-levels B in mathematics, physics and chemistry, biology or computer science; IB Diploma 36/42 points (excluding bonus points); mathematics and physics at least 5/7. Applying: intake: September; application fee CHF 150.
✓ 38 facts from 13 official pages, each with the exact sentence it comes from · checked 2026-11-12 · How we verify
International students should also budget for health insurance, visa and travel costs not shown here.
Reference only. Automatically checked against the college's official pages on 2026-11-12; maintained by Jordan Lee, editor. Colleges can change policies at any time — confirm on the official page before you apply. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Quick summary
| Cost per year | tuition CHF 4,380 per year (≈ US$5,300) |
|---|---|
| Money from the college | Merit scholarships: none. No named scholarship is confirmed open to international students yet. |
| Chances of admission | 12 years of schooling (EU/EFTA upper secondary certificate): general average at least 70% of the maximum grade; mathematics and physics at least 70%. A-levels: B in mathematics, physics and chemistry, biology or computer science. Requirements for other school qualifications differ by country — see the college's page ↗ |
| Application deadlines | Earliest: Apr 30 (Main round) Last round: Late applications, Jul 31. |
| Where and how students live | Lausanne · 47 km from GVA airport |
| Housing | First-year housing: Available (apply) |
| Working while studying | not yet determined |
| After graduation | not yet determined |
Plain-language summary of the verified details below. Where it says “not yet determined”, we have not found it on an official page yet.
Financial aid & requirements for international students
| Meets full financial need | No — does not promise to meet full need (reference)Sources (2)“funding for the entirety of your studies must be secured before joining EPFL (Information from the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Vaud), and EPFL cannot provide financial support in cases of poor budget planning.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Social scholarships are only applied as a last resort, once all other possibilities investigated (parental contribution, state grants, loans and loan proposals, etc.) have been rejected.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
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| Merit scholarships | No — aid is based on need, not meritSources (1)“In order to encourage holders of a Swiss high-school maturity diploma and holders of a Swiss vocational maturity diploma undertaking the CMS in their scientific ambitions, EPFL offers excellence fellowships to talented students starting their Bachelor’s degree, regardless of the field of studies they choose.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| English proficiency | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
| Conditional admission / English pathway | Yes — conditional admission or an English pathway is offered (reference)Sources (2)“This preparatory year (CMS) allows some students who do not fulfill the entrance requirements to be admitted directly into one of EPFL’s Bachelor’s programs”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Holders of a Swiss “maturité gymnasiale” may automatically integrate a Bachelor’s program of their choice. All other candidates must successfully pass the CMS or the entrance exam.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Degree programmes taught in English | No (reference)Sources (1)“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| The college's own entrance examination | YesSources (2)“They may also register for our entrance exam (no condition nor capacity limitation).”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“the EPFL entrance exam is currently open only to holders of a Swiss maturité professionnelle or maturité spécialisée as well as holders of an upper secondary school certificate from a country that is not a member of EU, EFTA, nor UK.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
Programmes
| Bachelor's programme | Programmes taught in French: Architecture · 3 years Source (3)“Architecture”edu.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Bachelor’s studies usually represent three years of studies, meaning 180 ECTS credits.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes taught in French: Artificial Intelligence · 3 years Source (2)“Artificial Intelligence”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Bachelor’s studies usually represent three years of studies, meaning 180 ECTS credits.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes taught in French: Chemistry and Chemical Engineering · 3 years Source (3)“Chemistry and Chemical Engineering”edu.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Bachelor’s studies usually represent three years of studies, meaning 180 ECTS credits.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes taught in French: Civil Engineering · 3 years Source (3)“Civil Engineering”edu.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Bachelor’s studies usually represent three years of studies, meaning 180 ECTS credits.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes taught in French: Communication Systems · 3 years Source (3)“Communication Systems”edu.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Bachelor’s studies usually represent three years of studies, meaning 180 ECTS credits.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes taught in French: Computer Science · 3 years Source (3)“Computer Science”edu.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Bachelor’s studies usually represent three years of studies, meaning 180 ECTS credits.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes taught in French: Electrical and Electronics Engineering · 3 years Source (3)“Electrical and Electronics Engineering”edu.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Bachelor’s studies usually represent three years of studies, meaning 180 ECTS credits.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes taught in French: Environmental Sciences and Engineering · 3 years Source (3)“Environmental Sciences and Engineering”edu.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Bachelor’s studies usually represent three years of studies, meaning 180 ECTS credits.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes taught in French: Life Sciences Engineering · 3 years Source (3)“Life Sciences Engineering”edu.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Bachelor’s studies usually represent three years of studies, meaning 180 ECTS credits.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes taught in French: Materials Science and Engineering · 3 years Source (3)“Materials Science and Engineering”edu.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Bachelor’s studies usually represent three years of studies, meaning 180 ECTS credits.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes taught in French: Mathematics · 3 years Source (3)“Mathematics”edu.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Bachelor’s studies usually represent three years of studies, meaning 180 ECTS credits.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes taught in French: Mechanical Engineering · 3 years Source (3)“Mechanical Engineering”edu.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Bachelor’s studies usually represent three years of studies, meaning 180 ECTS credits.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes taught in French: Microengineering · 3 years Source (3)“Microengineering”edu.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Bachelor’s studies usually represent three years of studies, meaning 180 ECTS credits.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes taught in French: Physics · 3 years Source (3)“Physics”edu.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Bachelor’s studies usually represent three years of studies, meaning 180 ECTS credits.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“EPFL considers that level B2 in French (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required to follow its Bachelor’s programs. Level C1 is highly recommended.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
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Applying
| Academic entry requirement for your school qualification |
Requirements for other school qualifications differ by country — see the college's page ↗ |
|---|---|
| Intakes (start months) for first-year entry | September Source (1)“Applications can be submitted from mid-November to the 30th of April to start your studies at EPFL the following September.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Application fee | CHF 150 one-time (≈ US$181) Source (1)“These fees are CHF 50.- for a holder of a Swiss certificate or diploma and CHF 150.- for holders of a foreign certificate or diploma.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Application requirement | Passport copy: Required Source (1)“identity document (passport or identity card, both sides)”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12School transcript / academic records: Required Source (2)“intermediary grade sheets from the last two years of upper secondary education (except for applicants with a Swiss education)”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“transcripts of the upper secondary school certificate (or of the higher-education diploma when applicable)”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
Deadlines (2027 entry)
| Application — September intake | Apr 30Source (2)“Applications can be submitted from mid-November to the 30th of April to start your studies at EPFL the following September.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Registration form to be completed, paid for, and submitted on April 30 at the latest”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
|---|---|
| Late applications — Application — September intake | Jul 31Source (1)“For admission to the first year of the Bachelor’s program, it is possible to apply between May 1st and July 31rd provided that one holds an appropriate school certificate and that one fulfills at least one of the required conditions.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
Dates as published by the college; check the official page for time zones and supporting-document deadlines.
Costs for international students
| Tuition | CHF 4,380 per year (≈ US$5,300) (2025–26 figure) (reference) |
|---|---|
| Housing and meals | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
| Living costs (college estimate) | CHF 25,219 per year (≈ US$30,400) (reference) |
| Student health insurance | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
| Living costs you must show for the student visa (government amount, excluding tuition and travel) | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
Sources (5)
“This summer, the ETH Board expressed its support for the tripling of tuition fees for foreign students who take up residence in Switzerland for study purposes.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“only the CHF 730 semester tuition fee is tripled by this measure (it is thus raised to CHF 2190 per semester)”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“The total amount due per semester invoice is CHF 780 (CHF 2240 for some students from the fall semester, 2025; see above)”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Approximate budget for foreigner”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“TOTAL | 2’107.- without tuition fees | 25’219.- without tuition fees”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12US$ figures are approximate, converted at the European Central Bank reference rate of 2026-11-11; the college charges in its own currency.
Where students live
| First-year on-campus housing | Available (apply) (reference) Source (3)“EPFL does not have its own housing campus. Student’s halls are managed by foundations, real estate agencies, or other organizations. Some housing options are reserved for Bachelor’s or Master’s students at EPFL and/or UNIL.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Submitting an application does not guarantee that you will be assigned housing.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Don’t wait until you’ve been admitted to EPFL to submit a housing application.”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
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Work and after graduation
| Work allowed while studying (rule as stated by the government) | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
|---|---|
| Co-op / paid work terms built into degrees | No (reference) Source (1)“As an internship at Bachelor level is not a mandatory requirement for your Bachelor studies, the section is not authorized to provide you with an internship agreement (see Special cases – Study management – EPFL).”www.epfl.ch ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Post-study work visa (name and length) | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
Location
| City / state | Lausanne |
|---|---|
| Nearest major airport | Geneva International Airport (GVA), about 47 km in a straight line |
| Map | View on OpenStreetMap ↗ |
Location from Wikidata Q262760 (CC0); airport from OurAirports (public-domain data).